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Glasgow to host MTV awards in 2014

Scotland's biggest city is to host MTV's major international awards show the Europe Music Awards next year.

The 20th anniversary event will take place at Glasgow's new venue, the SSE Hydro.

The event showcases the world's top musical acts in a different city each year, with past performers including Madonna, Beyonce, Justin Bieber and Lady Gaga.

It will be the first time the awards show will be held in Glasgow, though the city hosted MTV Crashes Glasgow in 2010.

Bruce Gillmer, executive vice president of talent, music programming and events for Viacom International Media Networks (VIMN), said: "Each year, the MTV EMA is an amazing, multi-platform music experience for our audiences around the world, presented through a dynamic, talent-driven spectacle that only MTV can deliver.

"As one of the world's great music cities, Glasgow is always a favourite with artists and the new SSE Hydro will provide the perfect backdrop for the MTV EMA in its 20th anniversary year. We're thrilled that the eyes of the music world will be on Glasgow next year."

The 2013 MTV EMA will take place in The Ziggo Dome in Amsterdam tomorrow with Kings Of Leon, Snoop Dogg and The Killers among the performers.

The event is coming to Scotland in 2014 following successful discussions between MTV, Glasgow City Marketing Bureau and EventScotland.

Councillor Gordon Matheson, leader of Glasgow City Council and chair of Glasgow City Marketing Bureau, said: "It has been our ambition as part of Glasgow's major events strategy to attract the MTV EMA for a number of years and I'm delighted that MTV has accepted the city's invitation.

"Glasgow proved to be the ideal destination for MTV Crashes in 2010, when Diddy Dirty Money and a fantastic crowd showed MTV's global audience that Glasgow is a city that knows how to party.

"Since then, we've been working to bring the world's greatest music event to Glasgow and I'm delighted we can today announce the next chapter in this exciting partnership. Hosting an event of the magnitude and international reach of the MTV EMA reinforces Glasgow's enviable reputation as one of the world's leading music cities."

The event is being added to the programme for the year of Homecoming Scotland in 2014 which includes the Commonwealth Games in July, followed by the staging of The Ryder Cup in September at Gleneagles.

Scotland's Culture Secretary Fiona Hyslop said: "2014 is going to be an incredible year for Scotland and it is fantastic news that the MTV EMA will be coming to Glasgow.

"As a signature event on the Homecoming Scotland 2014 programme, we will welcome the world to the EMA and showcase Glasgow and Scotland to nearly 700 million households through MTV's global network of channels.

"The awards are a highlight on the global music calendar and next year it is fitting that it should be held in Scotland, the perfect stage for events, in Glasgow's newest venue, the spectacular SSE Hydro."

Organisers have not revealed the exact date of the ceremony but said it is likely to be around the same time next year.

Edinburgh hosted the 2003 event and it has been staged in cities including Rome, Stockholm and Paris.